Sri Lanka has launched its National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) for the period 2026 to 2028, marking a significant step in the country’s migration governance framework. The plan was unveiled under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, with technical support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which serves as the Secretariat and Coordinator for the United Nations Network on Migration in Sri Lanka.

The GCM, endorsed by Sri Lanka in 2018 along with 151 other United Nations member states, represents the first comprehensive international agreement addressing various aspects of migration. It outlines 23 objectives aimed at improving safe migration pathways, safeguarding migrant rights and welfare, combating human trafficking and smuggling, and leveraging migration’s potential for sustainable development.

The development of the NIP involved an inclusive consultation process that engaged a broad range of stakeholders, including government agencies, UN bodies, civil society groups, academic institutions, development partners, the private sector, and migrant organizations. This approach ensured that national migration policies are informed by the lived experiences of migrants and their communities, reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-society strategy.

At the plan’s launch, Marc-André Franche, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, highlighted the economic significance of migration, noting that remittances from Sri Lankan workers abroad exceeded $8 billion in 2025. He emphasized the importance of strong national leadership and collaborative efforts in protecting migrants and supporting their families, acknowledging migration’s role as a driver of development and social protection.

The preparation of the NIP was supported by the UN Network on Migration’s Demand-driven Facility through the European Union-funded Building Migration Partnerships programme. After its completion, the plan received official endorsement from Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers in August 2026, signifying government commitment to advancing coordinated, evidence-based, and people-centred migration management over the next three years.